Roger Schmidt: "We remain the only team that has everything in its hands"

POST-MATCH

Roger Schmidt regretted the wasted chances and a "clear penalty" not given to Otamendi in Benfica's defeat in Chaves (1-0), on matchday 28 of the Liga Bwin.

MATCH ANALYSIS

"The analysis is very simple: we didn't score. In this kind of games, we try to find offensive solutions against an opponent that defends with many players. We've been in that situation several times this season, and we always found solutions. We had several chances, but the goalkeeper made good saves. We didn't score and gave Chaves hope. They scored on a counterattack after a mistake, and we have to accept that. We are very disappointed and frustrated. The team worked very hard and tried everything until the last second. We were already not satisfied with the draw, and then we lost. It's part of football, and we will react in the next match." 

CLEAR PENALTY ON OTAMENDI

"I just saw the play, and it's a clear penalty [at 90'+2', before Chaves' goal]. I don't understand why VAR didn't intervene. For the referee, it was very difficult, because it was a very dynamic situation. Seeing on TV, there is a clear kick to Otamendi's leg, and that in the penalty box is not allowed. The ball was loose, and a kick to a player who wants to play the ball is a penalty. I don't understand why the VAR didn't act."

TITLE RACE

"We have to accept this situation, react and fight until the last second. We are still the only team that has everything in its hands. We had a good reaction in the dressing room and we are together. This defeat made us stronger, and we will give everything to be champions. Last week we had a 10-point lead, and if we had beaten FC Porto, we could have increased the gap. The situation now is new, and we have to accept it."

REACT

"My job is to give the players back their confidence, analyze the match, try to give them the right approaches and advise them on how to do things better. That's my job, that's what the players can expect from me. When we lose, there is a lot of noise around Benfica. We have to stick together, and that's what will happen. We will grow with these experiences. The team will show the mentality and attitude they have. I think most of the fans are satisfied with what we have done this season. We have played fantastic football internationally, we are first in the league, and the players deserve appreciation. I know the fans are disappointed, but next week we want to make them happy again."